Ogun state journalists chairman appointed as member taskforce on coronavirus

The Chairman, Caretaker Committee of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ),Ogun State Council, Mrs Omolola Adeyinka has been appointed as member of the Joint Technical Task Team on emergency response to coronavirus.

Penpushing reports that, a letter by the Federal Ministry of Agricultures and Rural Development dated April 20, 2020 signed by Engr G.O Oseni said the journalists boss is to be part of the Ogun State team of the task force  to oversee the challenges of movement of food and agricultural inputs in the country.

‘The Honourable Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Alhaji Muh’d Sabo Nanono,in collaboration with Honourable Ministers of Defence, Interior and Police recently set up a Joint Technical Team(JTTT) to ensure minimal impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on year 2020 farming season in line with directives of Mr President’, the letter reads.

The letter added that, the team also include; Nigeria Police Force, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, National Union of Road Transport Workers, Nigeria Union of Journalists, All Farmers Association of nIgeria, Nigerian Association of Road Transport Owners and Federal Ministry of Agriculture.

Penpushing further reports that, the letter emphasised that the formation of the committee is very urgent to facilitate free and unhindered movement of food and agricultural inputs throughout the state at this critical time

The State Coordinator, G.O  Oseni at the maiden meeting of the committee held at the Ogun State Police Headquarters, Eleweran, Abeokuta, noted that the pandemic is currently ravaging the world and has created series of wounds virtually on every sector of human life and negative impact being experienced in agricultural sector.

‘The present administration is very sentitive to the plight of the people and ever ready to act promptly at proffering solution to any prevailing challenge. This is further demonstrated by efforts of Federal Government of Nigeria vis Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development at rising to the bottleneck often encountered by our farmers in moving their agricultural products from one location to another especially as the check points’

Penpushing also reports that, Oseni said the team is expected to come out with solutions on this problem and by extension erase the negative impact of coronavirus pandemic on farming season, and further strengthened the synergy between Federal Ministry of Agriculture, law enforcement agencies, food and agricultural equipment transporters for food sufficiency, even after the pandemic

The coordinator emphasised that, the headquarters is expecting total commitment from all stakeholders as this will enhance perfect accomplishment of the outline, stressing, ‘we all have roles to play as head of our respective agency to reduce food losses in the cause of transporting agricultural related items within and across the state’